PUTIN: 'Do we want to bring the situation to what it was during the Cuban Missile Crisis?'

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin on Thursday voiced readiness to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump if Finland hosts an Arctic summit, while reiterating rejections of allegations that Russian meddled in the U.S. presidential election.

Russian President Putin attends a meeting of the Board of the Prosecutor General's Office in Moscow
Thomson Reuters

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin on Thursday voiced readiness to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump if Finland hosts an Arctic summit, while reiterating rejections of allegations that Russian meddled in the U.S. presidential election.

It wasn't the first time Putin floated the idea of a meeting with Trump. Russia had hoped for a thaw in relations with the United States after Trump's election, but that has been dashed by the congressional investigation of possible links between Trump's campaign and Russia.

Putin, speaking at an Arctic forum in Arkhangelsk, dismissed what he called "endless and groundless" accusations of Russian meddling in the U.S. election, describing them as part of the U.S. domestic political struggle.

Putin sharply criticized what he described as the use of the "Russian card" in U.S. domestic politics, saying it contradicts American interests.

"Do we want to completely cut relations?" he said. "Do we want to bring the situation to what it was during the Cuban Missile Crisis of the 1960s?"

Asked by a moderator if Finland was willing to host a summit of Arctic nations' leaders that for the first time brings together Putin and Trump, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said that it would be honored to do so.

Putin answered in kind, saying he would be glad to take part if such a meeting is held. He added that alternatively, he would be ready to meet with Trump in Germany in July when they both are set to attend a G-20 summit.

Finland is set to take the rotating leadership in the Arctic Council in May.

Earlier this year, Putin thanked Slovenia for its offer to host a proposed meeting with Trump, but noted that it would depend on Washington.